Additional Information

The Venue

LBT is a middle scale theatre which was opened in 1994 in what was once the largest Wesleyan mission in the country and is now a Grade II* listed building. The conversion was carried out as the result of a sustained campaign by local people and amateur societies, who demanded a professional theatre venue within the district. The most recent phase of development, the North Wing, was completed in 1998 with support from the National Lottery.

Within the complex there are three performance spaces; the Main Auditorium seating 477 people, the Cellar Theatre with 120 seats and the Attic Theatre, also used for rehearsals and education, with 60 seats. All the spaces are flexible. Offices and supported accommodation for arts companies are housed in one wing while the other provides a bar and meeting rooms. The building surrounds an outdoor courtyard which is also used for performances and events.

The Company and Team

The theatre is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, governed by Kirklees Theatre Trust. It currently receives revenue funding from Kirklees Council, Arts Council England, Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Grants; this revenue funding makes up approximately 38% of the theatre’s overall income. The remainder is made up of project grants, sponsorship, box office income, space hires and bar profit.

LBT is led by, Victoria Firth, the Director and Chief Executive. 25 permanent full or part-time staff and 30 casual staff are employed working in departments for marketing and box office, technical and premises, community engagement, front of house and events, finance and administration. There is also a volunteer-base of approximately 100 front of house stewards.

The Programme

LBT is primarily a presenting theatre. The professional programme includes drama, dance, opera, children’s theatre, music, comedy and most recently film. We also work with and host events for the international Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Huddersfield Literature Festival. Non-professional and community use of the theatre is supported and several amateur dramatic societies regularly perform at LBT.

LBT runs a varied programme of education and outreach activities. Our Youth Theatre has approximately 250 members from the ages 6 to 25 and we are currently expanding our portfolio of courses and classes for adults. Discreet outreach projects have been generated to build community links and engagement. In 2011 we professionally produced a main stage performance by a young people’s cast.

LBT supports the work of locally based artists and is home to 4 resident companies, Full Body and the Voice (learning disabled ensemble and exponents of integrated theatre), Chol Theatre (inter-cultural theatre with a strong youth feel), Balbir Singh Dance Company (contemporary Kathak informed dance company) and Tell Tale Hearts (professional producing children’s theatre company). We also run an exhibitions programme and provide space for 3 visual artists in residence.

During the day-time the venue is used for conferences, seminars and functions.

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